Physiotherapy is a dynamic health care profession with foundations in theory and
research and specialized clinical expertise. Each of the 14 Canadian Universities offering
physiotherapy education provide a professional, entry-level program and as of 2012 all
will be at the Master's level. Within each of these programs, the curriculum is presented
in a course-based Master's format. Ten programs are offered in English and 4 in French.
Physiotherapy is a regulated profession meaning an active license or practice permit,
from the provincial regulatory organization, is required. Successful completion of an
accredited entry-level program allows the graduate to sit the national Physiotherapy
Competency Examination (PCE). For most provinces, successful completion of the PCE
is required for registration.
Clinical Master's and/or thesis-based Master's and Doctorate programs are offered
by most of the 14 Universities with entry-level programs. These are typically
designed for physiotherapy and other healthcare clinicians wanting to pursue further
academic education and generally follow a more traditional graduate education format.
Physiotherapy specific and interdisciplinary post-graduate certifications and advanced
practice courses are also available at many universities.

Resources and Publications

The Canadian Council of Physiotherapy University Programs published the Entry-to-Practice Physiotherapy Curriculum: Content Guidelines for Canadian University
Programs in 2009. This document includes suggested content for academic coursework.
An accompanying document outlining the suggested guidelines for the clinical education
coursework was published by the Council in fall 2011.